Comparison of visual quality between aspheric and spherical IOLs

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation produces the same degree of postoperative ocular aberration and contrast sensitivity as spherical IOL implantation. Methods: In this randomized prospective comparative study, 60 eyes of 30 cataract surgery patients were randomly assigned to receive a spherical IOL (Rayner 620H) in one eye and an aspheric IOL (Rayner 920H) in the contralateral eye. All patients were examined at 1 month postoperatively. Primary outcomes of contrast sensitivity and ocular wavefront higher order aberrations (HOAs) were assessed. Results: Aspheric IOLs (median total HOAs 0.26 root mean square [RMS]; range 0.13-0.82 RMS) produced significantly lower total HOAs than spherical IOLs (median total HOAs 0.34 RMS; range 0.18-1.08 RMS; p<0.05). Contrast sensitivity was significantly better with aspheric IOLs (median contrast sensitivity 1.8 log units; range 1.35-1.8 log units) than with spherical IOLs (median contrast sensitivity 1.65 log units; range 1.35-1.8 log units; p<0.05). Conclusions: When compared with a structurally (platform and material) similar spherical IOL (Rayner 620H), aspheric IOLs (Rayner 920H) appear to significantly reduce HOAs and yield better levels of contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions. © 2014 Wichtig Publishing.